Pam Bondi called Jamie Raskin a “washed-up loser lawyer” during five hours of explosive testimony.
The Attorney General faced Congress February 11, 2026, over the Justice Department’s removal of 9,500 Epstein documents that accidentally exposed victim identities. Democrats accused her of cover-up while Bondi turned the hearing into a brawl—demanding they apologize to President Trump instead.
Epstein survivors sat behind her throughout, never receiving the acknowledgment they came for.
The Numbers Behind the Hearing
- Date: February 11, 2026
- Duration: Over 5 hours
- Documents removed: Approximately 9,500 files
- Reason for removal: Failed victim identity redactions
- Resubmission deadline: 15 days for written justifications
- Epstein victims present: Multiple survivors attended
- Democrat walkout: Rep. Jasmine Crockett left mid-hearing
- Key accusation: Cover-up protecting high-profile names
The Disaster DOJ Admitted
The Justice Department pulled 9,500 files from public access after botching redactions. Bondi sent letters to federal judges explaining that victim-identifying information slipped through despite “evident diligence from the reviewer”.
One document over 80 pages had thorough redactions throughout—except a victim’s first name appeared on a single page. Victims and their representatives flagged additional identifiers the DOJ initially missed.
The law authorizing the release explicitly prohibits withholding records “based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary”. Yet nearly 10,000 documents disappeared.
She Refused to Say Sorry
Representative Pramila Jayapal asked Bondi to acknowledge the Epstein survivors in the room and apologize for the DOJ’s failures. Bondi refused, dismissing it as “theatrics”.
Bondi went on offense instead, demanding Democrats apologize to Trump for his two impeachments. She called the hearing a political stunt.
Representative Jamie Raskin opened with a scathing attack: “You’re siding with the perpetrators and you’re ignoring the victims. That will be your legacy”. Bondi responded by calling him a “washed-up loser lawyer” during her rebuttal.
The Trump Question Nobody Answered
California Democrat Ted Lieu asked whether Trump attended parties involving underage girls. Bondi called the question “ridiculous” and insisted no evidence implicates Trump in criminal activity.
Lieu suggested her answer could constitute lying under oath, noting Trump’s name appears frequently in Epstein files. Bondi accused him of making false accusations.
Senator Dick Durbin asked if the Justice Department had briefed Trump on anything concerning in the Epstein documents. Bondi shut it down: “I’m not going to discuss anything that I’ve discussed with the president, senator”.
Crockett Storms Out
Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett walked out after a heated exchange. “This is a significant cover-up. This administration is still involved in it, and in fact, complicit,” she declared before leaving.
Crockett expressed shock that Bondi remains in her position, citing incompetence. Bondi responded by displaying photographs of convicted criminals from Texas, suggesting Crockett should focus on them instead.
Throughout the hearing, Bondi used Republican time slots to counter Democratic attacks with prepared dossiers on committee members.
Bondi’s Combat Strategy
Bondi opened by defending her career: “I have dedicated my career to advocating for victims, and I will persist in doing so”. She called Epstein a “monster” and expressed remorse to victims.
But she blamed the Biden administration for any investigative failures. She maintained the department found no evidence of conspiracy or cover-up.
Her approach mirrored Trump’s combative style—meeting tough questions with aggression rather than detailed answers. She made no acknowledgments of wrongdoing while repeatedly voicing loyalty to Trump.
The Partisan Divide
Republicans avoided Epstein topics entirely, focusing on crime rates and public safety. Democrats concentrated exclusively on the file controversy and Bondi’s loyalty to Trump.
The hearing became a showcase of partisan warfare rather than accountability. Bondi turned defense into offense, using her testimony to attack Democrats rather than explain the DOJ’s failures.
Why This Hearing Matters
The Epstein case has transformed from fringe concern to major political flashpoint. The DOJ’s fumbled file release raised questions about whether protecting powerful figures motivated the redactions.
The department must provide written justification within 15 days for any withheld evidence. But Bondi’s testimony offered no transparency about what those 9,500 documents contained or which names they might protect.
Several Epstein survivors attended specifically to hear an apology for the DOJ’s carelessness with their identities. They sat through five hours of political combat and left without acknowledgment.
Bondi’s refusal to apologize while calling critics “washed-up losers” signals how the Justice Department now operates under Trump’s second term. Loyalty to the president trumps accountability to victims.
The hearing ended with no resolution, no transparency, and no answers about what information remains hidden in those 9,500 documents.
Jordan Blake is a rogue film critic and former VFX compositor with over 15 years of industry experience. Tired of paid reviews and “safe” opinions, Jordan left the studio system to tell the audience what Hollywood won’t. He specializes in forensic frame-by-frame analysis, exposing bad CGI, and decoding hidden lore that others miss.
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